Key Features of Digital Evidence Management System

A DEMS is a virtual command post that police departments use to manage all the digital evidence that they have collected over time

FREMONT, CA: Digital evidence is growing exponentially yearly, and police departments are struggling to keep up. It is now common for police and detectives to handle crime scene photos, recorded interviews, and citizen-shared digital evidence through inexpensive digital CCTV systems.   Even minor police calls are captured with high-resolution video on in-car and body-worn cameras (BWCs).  

High-quality CCTV systems, affordable price points, and ease of set-up and installation have shifted the CCTV market to an inflection point. Any wireless internet user can install cloud-based systems in a few minutes. Technical skills are not required. Across America, CCTV cameras have become more prevalent. It is impossible to ignore digital evidence. Administrators should train officers to recover and review surveillance videos, particularly digital evidence. Digital evidence must also be collected, stored, and managed by agencies using best practices and adhering to laws and regulations.

Keeping track of all digital evidence a police department collects is handled by a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS). With a DEMS, training, and policies based on best practices, agencies ensure they properly collect and maintain case evidence.

Let us understand the features of a DEMS solution.

Secure and compliant: A single copy of a file poses a substantial risk. A backup copy may be required if the storage system crashes or specific files become corrupt. Therefore, storing at least two copies in different geographical locations is the best practice. For example, backup copies of digital evidence can be stored in the cloud. Storage redundancy ensures backup copies of digital evidence always exist. A digital evidence management system (DEMS) can store digital evidence locally (on-premise), in the cloud, or both. Agencies must also adhere to local regulations regarding evidence storage.

Scalable and analytic storage: Flexible DEMS integrate with various storage types. Larger departments may rely on a more expensive hybrid on-premise/cloud solutions, while small departments may use Synology NAS to store their evidence. Scalable DEMS should enable departments to increase storage capacity as needed or daisy chain multiple storage options.

Connects to BWC systems: DEMS does not include body-worn cameras (BWC). DEMS and BWC solutions must work together as police departments adopt BWC systems. With these two systems integrated, investigators can gather and review all digital evidence associated with a case.

Seamless digital evidence migration: Maintaining a DEMS is essential. Managing your evidence alone or paying high support fees is difficult without experienced installers and subject matter experts. The DEMS solution you choose must include a full-time team that will assist you in transferring your existing digital evidence into the new system.

Deployment options are flexible: On-site and web-based DEMS solutions are available. An integrated DEMS solution offers both options. Officers can upload and review evidence based on how and where the DEMS is implemented. Detective and police administrators use desktop applications for deeper access to case evidence. Patrol officers may also upload digital evidence to a web-based interface throughout their shift via a web-based interface.

Deep learning and cloud computing are making digital evidence management systems more sophisticated. Cloud computing assists DEMS in automating redaction tasks (blurring faces, license plates, and RMS screens). Investigators are also pursuing video analytic applications that help them identify persons, vehicles, or objects of interest in long video segments or track those individuals or objects over time.